• Philanthropic computing is a term used to describe people using their own computers to process data for philanthropic purposes.  The term philanthropic is used broadly. Philanthropic computing includes computers being used to forecast financial markets, solve complex mathematical problems, predict the weather, help find cures for diseases and even search for extraterrestrial life.
  

• Tasks such as the aforementioned have traditionally have required very expensive supercomputers in order to perform complicated work.  Rather than using one very powerful supercomputer to process data, the work is divided among millions of personal computers that are not being used at a particular moment in time.  

• PC is not only faster than using supercomputers, but it is also significantly cheaper. 

• Using PC programs at home is known as individual PC computing.  When PC programs are used by corporations, it is known as corporate PC computing.